Pay grades for different units??

[MarySnov]

Hi,

I know that every hospital/clinic is different so I'm just asking for general information.

I want to know if nursing positions in ICU or ER or clinics generally pay the same as Medical-Surgical units, or to they pay more or less?

Can you tell me from your own experience if you were paid more or less after a transfer? This would be after gaining experience on a med-surg unit.

Thanks!!

[RainMom]

Typically there is no difference in nursing pay between units within the same facility. Sometimes, there may be a small incentive for gaining a specialty certification, but it's not common. There is also usually minimal to no difference in pay between ADN & BSN degrees. Nurses usually gain the biggest jump in income when they leave one employer for another & negotiate higher pay based on experience.

[righteousjenn]

They typically get paid more. They also get trained and are more in demand than med surg nurses.

[amzyRN]

Where I work they are paid the same, no greater pay for working in ED versus ICU versus Med/surg.

[BedsideNurse]

I've never worked anywhere that paid ICU more than Med-Surg. Occasionally "a dollar more if you have your BSN" but not usually any difference, and that extra was for all units. The same goes for more pay for being certified in your specialty, again it was the same across all units. I would be really mad if I worked Med Surg and people in Step down or whatever were making more. Maybe I need to get out more, but from what I've seen I don't think any hospitals are doing this.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Hi,

I know that every hospital/clinic is different so I'm just asking for general information.

I want to know if nursing positions in ICU or ER or clinics generally pay the same as Medical-Surgical units, or to they pay more or less?

Can you tell me from your own experience if you were paid more or less after a transfer? This would be after gaining experience on a med-surg unit.

Thanks!!

We are paid the same. Some facilities will pay for certifications like CCRN or CEN and BSN but maybe just a dollar.

[SmilingBluEyes]

In union facilities, the unit does not matter; it's the seniority.

In places where there is a significant difference, you have to ask yourself one question: "why"?

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Nope, ICU and Med/Surg have always made the same. Even outpatient clinics make the same base rate, but without night, weekend and holiday differentials, they usually end up making LESS.

[Dallas_RN, BSN, EMT-P]

Several places I have worked paid $2/hr critical care diff for ED/ICU

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

Where I work, pay is based on experience. We get an annual bonus for specialty certs; it is equal as well, so a CMSRN's bonus = a CCRN or CEN's bonus.

[RNOTODAY, BSN, RN]

My facility pays more for the Operating Room

[emmy27]

Everywhere I have worked there has been no difference. There is sometimes a small differential for certifications or a BSN, but some places don't even offer that, but rather count those things as points toward a "clinical ladder" program in which you get small extra raises as you climb the ladder (in addition to typical COL/performance raises).

The major advantage of a specialty is that it gives you more flexibility in where you work, and usually slightly better working conditions than med-surg. It may also open you up to travel and contract positions in which the pay is higher because the specialty is in demand.

But typically no difference in pay for different units within a single employer.